Early in the nineteenth century Goshen's leading citizens wanted to found a school which would offer advanced courses not available in the district schools. Two clergymen were instrumental in encouraging influential citizens to establish an academy and erect a suitable building. The legislature adopted an act incorporation in 1823, and funds were obtained by subscription. Instruction began in 1824 in the new building which was distinguished by its handsome eagle carving (artisan unknown).

 Today citizens of Goshen realize the wisdom of those early officers who planned for a self-perpetuating board of trustees charged with continuing the use of the building for educational purposes should the Academy be discontinued. Thus a building was available for the Goshen Historical Society when it was established in the early 1950s.

 Several Goshen residents, among them Ruby North, Samuel Porter, Alice Carlisle, and Alice Ingham, had antiques, artifacts and papers relating to the story of the town, and wished to arrange for them to be preserved and exhibitcd. Interested people met at the home of Ellsworth and Margaret Wood (formerly the home of Lewis M. Norton, one of the early Academy trustees), and made plans for a historical society.

 After an invitation to join was sent to each taxpayer, the Goshen Historical Society was incorporated and received its charter in 1955. Harry Greene served as president protem, Alice Carlisle was elected first president, followed by Wilhelmine Allyn, and Margaret Wood.

 The original corporators were: Wilhelmine Allyn, Lucy Barker, Samucl Bartholomew, Louise Blakeslee, Frances Benjamin, Alice Carlisle, Harry Greene, Mary Griswold, Michael Grusauskas, Alice Ingham; Laura Meurer,  John Minetto, Bernice Moore, Harry North, Clifford Perkins, Samuel Porter, Frank Seaton, Genevieve Shean, Marjorie Stocking, Clarence Vaill, and Margaret Wood.

   The Goshen Public Library was housed on the first floor of the Academy and the society was granted permission to use the second floor for its exhibits and files. Members responded by donating a wide variety of items which would help interpret the manner in which Goshen people lived and the occupations which provided their livelihood.

   Wilhelmine Allyn, Genevieve Shean, and Hulda Tuttle assumed responsibility for accessioning and displaying the acquisitions. Maud Perkins began an important project of maintaining scrapbooks with items clipped from local papers which referred to Goshen events. Others have continued this work which has also been emulated by other area historical societies.

  At first dues and bakery sales were the society's main source of income. More recently dues, donations, bequests, and occasional fund-raising events have improved the treasury. In 1973 an open house at the two Norton houses--Birdsey Hall and the Ebenezer Norton house--served as a fund-raiser. Generous gifts from members have also made possible drilling a well, repainting the building, reproducing the weathervane, gold-leafing the carved eagle, renovating the interior to provide a library area, and improving the east room, which is now the society's office. As of 1989 the society's membership totaled over 250 (50 out-of-town).

   When the public library moved to Goshen's town hall complex in 1969, the Academy trustees granted the historical society use of the entire Academy building. All projects are developed in cooperation with the Academy board of trustees.

   Volunteers work weekly maintaining exhibits and files, recording events (with oral tapes and even video), and helping with research as requested. Programs are planned annually for both adults and children. Elementary school classes frequently visit the museum. .